COUNCIL OF CHURCHES.

Otago Witness, Issue 2895, 8 September 1909, Page 37

COUNCIL OF CHURCHES.

ANNUAL MEETING. The annual meeting of the above body was held on the 6th inst. in the View Street Hall of the Moray Place Congregational Church, the Rev. W. Slade (retiring president) occupying the chair. The annual report was prepared and read by the president, in the absence of the secretary, and was as follows : — " The outstanding feature of the year 1908-9 is the local option poll, which took place last November. Although the arrangement of the plan of campaign was conducted by the Temperance Reform Council, our own council took every opportunity of showing practical sympathy with the movement, the ultimate aim of which is the abolition of the liquor trade ; and all the members of the Council of Churches in their individual capacity bore a more or lesa active share in the campaign. The executive of the council shared with the Christian Endeavour Union in organising the children's procession, which so greatly impressed the city. It also organised a series of devotional meetings immediately prior to polling day, and fcrom the executive emanated the ministers' manifesto in support of no-license, which was very largely signed by the ministers of Otago and Southland. '"Although it is now 10 months since the impressive \ote of the whole Dominion gave an unmistakable indication that the liquor traffic is doomed to extinction, it is not out of place for this council to record an expression of its gratitude to Almighty God for the progress of this niuch-n»eded reform. In this respect the future is full of hope. The tide is flowing in favour of those who have sacrificed time, money, reputation, and labour that they might purge our land of the tyranny of alcohol. We have reason for believing that a few more local option polls will banish the drink evil from out shores. "As there seemed to be a probability that Messrs Chapman and Alexander would, if invited, be willing to include New Zealand in their Australasian tour, the executive agreed to participate with councils and ministers' associations elsewhere in inviting them. It was with much regret that the executive learned that the distinguished evangelists' arrangements precluded a visit to the Dominion for the present. More recently the executive has learnsd that Messrs Chapman and Alexander may revisit the Southern Hemisphere in 1911, and, in view of that, the committee has again united with other centres in inviting them to visit New Zealand. "In April the action of the Otago Rowing Association in holding a regatta on the Lord's Day called forth an earnest protest from the executive of the council. We were grateful for the action of the city press in defending the Christian Sabbath in connection with this incident. " The Council of Churches ha* held its usual quarterly meetings during the year, but it is with regret that we have to confess that the attendance has not bsen as large as it might be and as is desirable. It will be a great loss to the Christian Churches of the city if there is no organised body to represent them on necessary occasions During times of peace a nation does not keenly feel the need of a standing army, but no nation possessing the smallest modicum of wisdom would drea-m on that account of allowing its army to dissolve. The need of a council Jike ours may not seem great when things jog along in their normal way, but we' never know whan some great occasion may not arise which will demand organised and united action. It will be a calamity if such an emergency should find the churches of the city without the means of action. The, council also affbrds the only opportunity which the ministers and workers of the city churches have of enjoying the fellowship without which there is a tendency to mutual aloofness, if not- of estrangement. Many of our divergences disappear in the light of .fuller knowledge of each other ; it will be a loss to us all if these opportunities cease. "In conclusion, we record with gratitude the signs of approaching revival in the churches. The low vitality, which we have all regretted, shows signs of yielding to the times of refreshment for which we pray More than one of <he churches represented in the council have enjoyed a new baptism of the Holy Gho3t, and have added to their membership, and there is in many hearts a feeling of expectancy that a great revival is near. We pray that in all our churche6 the droppings may be only the earnest of a full shower, and that on all sides there may soon be the sound as of abundance of rain. " Our honoured friend, Mr Duncan Wright, having found it necessary, for reasons of health, to retire from a portion of the work of Bible teaching in primary schools which ho has carried on for 16 years, an influential committee, representing all the Protestant churches of the city, undertook to make arrangements for maintaining this important work. The school committees without exception gave the ministers 'permission to enter the school- ; the teachers also agreed to to-operat<«, with them, and it is with great satisfaction we report that in nearly all the schools of Dunedin weekly Bible lessons are being gheh by ministers of all the Protestant churches." The report was unanimously adopted on the motion of the Rev. C. Dallaston, seconded by Mr A. S. Adams, both making special mention of the very generous labour given by the president (the Ray. W. Slade) The balance sheet, read by the Treasurer (Mr E. Rosovea-r), showed a credit balance of £2 lls 4d, against wh ; ch there wore liabilities of an estimated amount of £6 15s. — The report was adopted, thanks being accorded to the treasurer The following officials were appointed foi the ensuing year: — President, Rev. D. Borne ; secretary. Rev C. Dallaston ; treasurer, Mr E. Rosevear ; auditor, Mr D. Leslie; vice-presidents— Roys. W. Slade, W. Hay. G. Knowles Smith. Messrs D. Wright, S. C. Phillips. H. H. Driver; committee — Revs. G Heighway, J. W. Shaw. D. S. Mason, W. Saunders, and Messrs W. Hastie, J F Wilkhuon, Barnes, A. S. Adams, F. C. Cumming, and Adjutant Thurkettle; associate of committee, Mr G. Reid. The incoming President (the Rev. D. Borrie) then delivered an address dealing with the functions and powers of a wellestablished Council of Churches. He was accorded a very hearty vota of thanks at the conclusion. As an outcome Mr Driver moved, and it was carried — "That the question of the reconstruction of the council be remitted to the executive to con-

eider the suggestions made and bring forward proposals at the next quarterly meeting." A motion of thanks was passed to the Rev. D. J. Murray, for the work done by him and of sympathy with him in his illness. Mr Bengough, a, well-known visitor from Canada, was present by invitation, arfd gave a few remarks specially dealing with temperance work in Canada. In Toronto they had 110 hotels for about 350,000 people, this being a reduction of 40 in recent times. They had discovered that the best thing to do with the saloon was to do away with it, aaid he believed that it would not be very many years before it would be accomplished in Canada. Another matter referred to was the measures taken to save the Sunday. No amusements for which charges were made could be held, and the publication and sale of Sunday newspapers was absolutely prohibited. A very interesting talk was concludoci by "the asking -axi-cr answering of many questions on general topics. A sincere and hearty vote of thanks was accorded him at the close. In connection with the proposed calling out of the Cadets on Dominion Day, Mr E. Rosevear moved, and it was earned — " That thds council act in conjunction with the Sunday School UnioiCira waiting upon the officer commanding tfie district to see that the Cadets are not ; - called' out upon Sunday afternoon." . ' On the motion of Mr White it was resolved that the CcruncUUpf .Onrrches regrets that any encouragemenit should be aiforded to the* pernicious habifc of gambling by members of churches supporting raffles, and pledges itself to use every effort to discourage all bazaars and sales of work where such practice.? are contemplated. The meeting closed with an expression of thanks for the use of the hall.